Angels trade for Soler, send Canning to Braves

ANAHEIM -- The Angels added some pop to their lineup just one day after the conclusion of the World Series, acquiring slugger Jorge Soler from the Braves in exchange for right-hander Griffin Canning on Thursday.

Soler, 32, brings plenty of power with 191 career homers over 11 seasons, including 48 in 2019 with the Royals and 36 during an All-Star year with the Marlins in 2023. Last year, Soler started the season with the Giants before being traded to the Braves in late July ahead of the Trade Deadline. He batted a combined .241/.338/.442 with 21 homers, 34 doubles and 64 RBIs in 142 games.

The Angels had the third-worst slugging percentage in the Majors last year and general manager Perry Minasian believes Soler will provide some thump to the lineup.

“It was a move we felt like we needed to make sooner than later,” Minasian said. “We spent the last three weeks looking at our club, in general, and the strengths and weaknesses. We identified Jorge as somebody that would really fit. It's right-handed power. It's somebody that can change a game with one swing of a bat and can go play the outfield if you need him.”

Soler, who was finishing a workout in Miami when he was told he was traded, also brings a track record of postseason success. He earned World Series rings with the Cubs in 2016 and the Braves in 2021, when he was named Series MVP after batting .300 with three homers, a double and six RBIs in Atlanta's six-game triumph. Angels manager Ron Washington was the third-base coach for Atlanta in ’21 and formed a strong bond with Soler and had nothing but positive things to say about him to Minasian.

“I was with him in Atlanta during our World Series run and I had a great relationship with him,” Soler said through interpreter Marco Peralta. “And I expect we’ll continue that relationship during my time with the Angels.”

Soler is under contract for two more seasons at $13 million a year after he signed a three-year deal worth $42 million with the Giants. There’s no money involved in the deal, as it was straight player-for-player swap, which means the Angels are taking on salary and adding to their payroll.

“We’re going to be aggressive,” Minasian said. “We're going to continue to look to make the team better. We have a lot of areas where we can improve. This is move No. 1 and we expect there to be more moves.”

The Angels needed an outfielder and some power as insurance with superstar Mike Trout missing time with injuries over the last four seasons. Soler mostly serves as a designated hitter, as he’s never been regarded as a strong defender, but can play left and right field. He played 46 games in the outfield last year and has averaged 44 games in the outfield over the last three seasons.

“I have no issues wherever they put me,” Soler said. “I’m going to be ready for whatever the team wants from me.”

He joins an outfield that already includes Taylor Ward, Jo Adell, Mickey Moniak and Trout. Soler has been mostly durable, playing in all 162 games in 2019, 149 in ‘21, 137 in '23 and 142 games in '24 but was limited to 72 games due to injuries in ’22.

Minasian said they haven’t planned how much Soler will play in the outfield just yet and could see a scenario where they keep all five outfielders on the roster.

“We’ll see where it goes” Minasian said. “It’s definitely possible we keep all five.”

Canning, 28, is coming off a down year, posting a 5.19 ERA -- his 99 earned runs allowed led the American League -- with 130 strikeouts, 66 walks and 31 homers allowed in 171 2/3 innings. But he did make all of his scheduled starts without missing any time with injuries and is nominated for the Gold Glove Award again after winning it in 2020. He’s eligible for arbitration this offseason after making $2.6 million in 2024 and will be a free agent after the ‘25 campaign.

Minasian said it was difficult to part with Canning and that they’re in the market to add to their starting pitching this offseason.

“We're definitely going to look at the free-agent market from a rotation standpoint and we’re looking at the trade market from a rotation standpoint,” Minasian said. “That's definitely an area where we can improve.”